Moundville Indians Lost Civilization on the

Black Warrior River

By Laird Landers

Moundville is located in Hale County near Tuscaloosa, AL.

It was a political and ceremonial center of the Mississippian culture.

Moundville 800 Years Ago

There are 26 earthen mounds.

The larger ones were homes tothe chief.

Temple MoundThe temple mound is about 58 feet high. The houses were constructed with poles chinked with mud on it the roofs were made out of thatch.

This is the chief’s mound.

It is the biggest mound!

Steps to the top of the mound.

This is the view from the top of the mound. Pretty high up isn’t it?

This is the JONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUMAt Moundville.

Carved bird at entrance To museum.

Marriage Alliance between two chiefdoms.

The elite bride from another cheifdom is being carried on a litter to meet her noble husband.

The bride is bearing gifts.

Musicians escorted the bride to the central Plaza at Moundville.

Chief, his wife, his son (groom),and the medicine man are ready to greet the bride.

Noble marriages strengthened alliances between chiefdoms.

Moundville’s rulers showed their authority by carrying copper axes or axes Made of one piece of stone.

Hawk Moth vase

The hawk moth was essential in pollinating the tobacco plant which was used in religious ceremonies.

Tobacco

The hawk moth’s wings

and proboscis

decorated many artifacts like this vase.

This is the artisans room and here we go!

Pottery of the Mississippian Culture at MoundvilleThe Indians of Moundville used slab and coil techniques to make very artistic pots, bowls, and bottles for everyday use and ceremonialuse from local clays.

Basket Making

Drying skins

Making ornaments

The carved crested wood duck bowl was excavated from Moundville. It is made of diorite (igneous rock) . It is part of the Smithsonian collection and is on loan to Moundville (Its original home.)

Frog Effigy Bowl

Bat Effigy Bowl

Duck Effigy BOWL

Human Effigy Bowl

The Flying Winged Serpent

The Rattlesnake Disc is a sandstone disc found in a farmer’s field during planting time.

Eye and Hand –See and do

The disc was probably used for grinding pigments.

The eye in hand is also found in theConstellation of Orion just under the belt. They believed the eye was the entrance to the afterlife.

Orion’s Belt

The eye in hand is also found in the Constellation of Orion just under the belt. They believed the eye was the entrance to the afterlife.

Human Effigy Jar

Cat Monster

An Etched Disc

Repaired Etched Vase

Human Effigy Bottle

Represents Old-woman-who-never-dies.She was a deity in the earthly and lunar realms.

Bottle may had contained medicine honoring her.

Bird Carvings

This is the burial room and here we go!

They were buried with food and ornaments or jewelry for the after life.

Archeological Dig behind the museum

This archeologist from the University of Alabama is making a grid.

Sifting the soil that is excavated

These ladies are sifting for artifacts.

Isn’t that just a beautiful reflection in the lake?

And here you know what this is.

THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER!

It’s never really

THE END